Definitions for "Bioswale"
A shallow trench planted with trees, shrubs, and ground cover that detains and filters stormwater before allowing it to infiltrate the groundwater system.
Bioswales are landscape elements designed to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water. They consist of a swaled drainage course with gently sloped sides (less than six percent) and filled with vegetation, compost and/or riprap. The water's flow path, along with the wide and shallow ditch, are designed to maximize the time water spends in the swale, which aids the trapping of pollutants and silt.